Retail technology studies online

Chain Store Guide has released an in-depth study of system technology in the retail and food service industries available in an online guide with weekly updates, according to a statement.

The 2006 guide provides information on the technology used by leading retailers and food service companies, showcasing the average age of implemented technology products and thereafter in-house research.

Chain Store Guide`s "2006 Market Study of Retail Technology" includes more than 1 670 companies with more than 16 500 decision makers while the Chain Store Guide`s "2006 Market Study of Foodservice Technology" contains more than 900 corporate and headquarter listings and more than 10 000 key personnel.

Hospitality retailer Pret a Manger, is integrating online credit card processing at their point of sale (POS) terminals across its US enterprise, with the assistance of Alpha Retail Technology, TMCnet.com reports.

Pret US was influenced by the speed of the Internet and will now implement cashless payments, authorise credit cards and reduce processing times to less than 20 seconds in order to decrease the transaction times.

The initial time for Pret`s credit card payments exceeded 55 seconds but with the implementation of Alpha Retail Technology, the time would be reduced to one to three seconds.

Transaction Network Services (TNS) has won a three-year nationwide deal with ALDI France to install GPRS-based transaction solutions in 720 stores, according to a company statement.

The new solution entails being able to send transaction information to acquire statements quickly and securely. The TNS network will also be used for non-payment information and will enable ALDI to carry alarm checks between the stores and head-office.

Pascal Vigier, financial director of ALDI France said, "This development is exciting for ALDI France. For the first time, we`ll be using TNS`s secure network to exchange payment and non-payment information. As well as future proofing our investment, it also provides the opportunity to make cost savings on our infrastructure."